I definitely recommend Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. This book is the first installment of the Grisha Trilogy, and after reading it I’m so excited to continue on to the next one.
The story follows a girl named Alina, a solider in Ravka, who learns after an attack on her regiment that she is a Grisha, one with one-of-a-kind powers. These powers may be to key to stopping the Shadow Fold, a darkness that has torn the country apart. When Alina is taken to a magical new place to learn how to control her gifts, she meets the Darkling, a man who may have dark secrets that would change everything for Ravka.
After reading this book I fell in love with the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo set up an amazing land filled with magic, intriguing royals and elites, and adventure. She was able to create a hierarchy of magical people, the Grisha, that felt fresh and exciting. The characters are all very well written with interesting backstories and personalities, so that none of them feels flat. The main character was also well written. A boring Mary Sue turned into a complex character who was very relatable.
My favorite part of the book was the romance. The writing when Alina realized she was in love with someone she couldn’t be with had me just as sad as she was, but it was also fun to read.
I definitely recommend this book to any teen or young adult who enjoys reading about fantasy, adventure, and romance. I give it a 10/10.